Well packer



J. D. NIXON Aug. 29, 1939.

WELL PACKER Filed July 2l, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 29, 1939. J. D. NixoN 2,171,479

' WELL PACKER Filed July 21, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 2 Aug 29 1939- J. D. N|xoN 2,171,479

' WELL PACKER Filed July 2l, 193B 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l/// ///f/ i//r/// Patented Aug. 29, 1939 {VUNITED STATES WELL PACKER Jeddy D. Nixon, Houston,

Tex., assignor of onehalf to Wilson Supply Company, Houston, Tex.,

a corporation of Texas Application July 21, 1938, Serial No. 220,484

1s claims.

'I'his invention relates to new and useful im'- provements in well packers.

One object of the, invention is to provide an improved well packer of the hook wall type.

There are a number of diierent types of well `packers and vtheytype 'designated as a hook wall packer has slips orother means for engaging the wall'ofthe casing string or theA well. It is pointed out that when the slips or wall gripping meansA engage the wall,l the packing element or member is set or expanded so as to pack 01T the space between the tubing and the casing. Though packers of this type are the most successful now in common use, there has been quite an objection to them for the fact that whenever the slips engage the wall, the packing member is expanded and the packer is set. This gripping of the wall and the setting of the packer is apt to occur in any place in the well, while said packer is being lowered in the well. It is pointed out that no positive control yof the `setting of the packing member is had, and when this member has thus set it is difficult to unset or release the same without damage `thereto.

When a packer of this type is run into a well, usually in a string of tubing, the slips are apt to become disengaged from their retaining means and grip the wall of the casing where and when not intended,v and thereby setting the packer memberat a point inthe well not desired. Of course, the tubing may be lifted to release the packing member, but due to the tendency of rubber to flow under pressureand to vulcanize to the casing wall, this releasing is not always satisfactorily accomplished. It is pointed out that after the rubber packing member has been set several times it becomes so mutilated that it will not hold or seal oi as it should, or that it has been partially or completely torn off and thus, is useless. A canvas, cloth, or similar material, packing member would be damaged also, although probably not as readilyas the rubber or a rubber compound. Thus, it will be seen that it is diilicult tb set a hook wall packer in a well where desired, and without damage thereto. Another object ofthe invention is to provide a hook wall packer so constructed that it will not set until it has been properly positioned, whereby the packer may be lowered into a well and set without damage thereto. f

Still another object of the invention is to provide a packer of the hook wall 'type that will not permit the setting of the packing member upon the gripping or the setting of the slips, whereby the accidental setting of the packer is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hook wall packer so arranged that the setting of the packing element is controlled from the surface of the well, whereby a positive control of the setting and the positioning of the packer in the well is obtained.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a packer of the hook wall type that may be used repeatedly without damage thereto, or the loss of parts in the well and the interfering with the proper operation of said well.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hook wall packer having a by-pass extending therethrough which is` not alected by the setting of the packer and which is separate from the well fluid passage extending through said packer.

A still further object of the invention is to pro Vide a packer of the hook wall type which may be used in 'connection with a well fluid lift system, whereby the pressure uid above'said packer -may be led through an'd below said packer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hook wall packer having a tubing drain therein which is open when the packer is unset, whereby the fluid within said tubing above said packer will bleed through said drain and enable a dry string to be pulled from the well.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood ,from a `reading of the following specifications and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figures land 1a are views partly in section and partly in elevation showing a packer constructed in accordance with the invention, unexpanded in a well casing;

Figures 2 and 2a are views similar to Figures 1 and la showing the slips engaging the casing and the packing member unexpanded;

Figures 3 and 3a. are views similar to Figures 1 and 1a. showing the slips set and the packing member expanded into engagement with the casing wall; l

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 3;

Figures 7 and 7a are views partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of the packer having a by-pass arrangement.

In the drawings the` numeral I 0 designates a well casing having the usual string of tubing I I therein. A suitable screw-threaded pin I2 on the lower end of the tubing is engaged in an internallyscreW-threaded box I3 on the upper end of an angular, upright cap or head I4, whereby the packer may be attached to said string of tubing in the usual manner.

The cap I 4 is formed with the usual shing neck 42 on its upper portion and is provided at its lower end with a lradially extending ange I5. External screw-threads I5 are formed beneath the flange and adjacent thereto for engaging in an internally screw-threaded socket I1 on the upper end of a cylindrical sleeve I3. When the sleeve is threaded onto the screw-threads I6, the upper end thereof abuts the underside of the flange I5 forming a iluid tight joint. The lower end of the sleeve is thickened or upset and an internally screw-threaded, inclined socket I9 is formed therein. A tubular mandrel 20 or section of tubing which forms the axial support or body of the packer, as well as a conductor for the well fluid, extends upwardly through the upset portion of the sleeve I3 and the socket I9. The upper end of the mandrel is upset or thickened and provided with an external, inclined surface having screwthreads 2| thereon. It will be seen that the tapered, threaded surface 2I is received by the threaded socket I9 of said sleeve for fastening said mandrel and said sleeve together. This connection will be described more in detail later.

The lower end of said mandrel terminates in an externally screw-threaded pin 22 for engaging in an internally screw-threaded box 23 on the upper end of an upstanding collar 24. The lower end of the collar 24 is provided with an internally screwthreaded box 25 for receiving an externally screwthreaded pin 26 on the upper end of a section of tubing 21 forming a continuation of the mandrel 20. The lower end (not shown) of the mandrel 21 is screwed into the usual collar (not shown) which may be connected to whatever'is desired.

The outer surface of the collar 24 is tapered so that an annular, inclined, guide surface 24' is presented for a plurality of suitable gripping slips 23 to coact therewith. The slips are arcuate in crosssection, so as to conform to the inclined surface and when said slips ride upon said surface they will be wedged between the collar 24 and the casing I0, gripping said casing and preventing further downward movement of the packer. The said slips are mounted on the upper end of fiat spring arms 29.

'A cylindrical, supporting body or sleeve 30 has a sliding fit on the mandrel 21 adjacent the lower end of said slips. The lower end of the sleeve 30 is externally screw-threaded at 3| to receive a retaining collar 32 thereon. The lower ends of the spring arms 23 are bent inwardly to form a. short finger 34 for engaging an annular groove just above and contiguous to the screw-threaded portion 3l. It will be seen that the lower ends of the arms t in longitudinal slots 4I, extending upwardly from the groove. A plurality of suitable friction, leaf springs 33 having lnturned fingers 34 on their lower ends for engaging in the groove 35, also t in longitudinal slots 4I in staggered relation circumferentially to the spring arms and it is pointed out that these springs together with the sleeve 30 form the usual friction cage on practically all hook wall type packers. While the drawings show four arms 29, and four springs 33 as being used, it is possible to use` any number desired. Attention is called to the fact that in case it becomes necessary to replace said springs, spring `arms,/ or said slips, the retaining collar 32 is unscrwed from the threaded section 3|, until the inturned fingers 34 on the lower ends of said springs and arms may be removed from said groove 35. The new arm or arms, or the new spring or springs may be inserted and said collar 32 screwed back upon the section 3| as shown in Figure la. It will be seen that this collar snugly engages over the lower ends of said armsand said springs for locking the same in said slots 4I and to the sleeve 30. Thus, it is possible to readily replace or repair this portion of the packer.

The upper end of the collar 24 is reduced to form an external, annular, recess 36, which is threaded to receivea short, narrow band or collar 31 to which a packing member 38 is attached by rivets 39, or other suitable means. The packing member lin the form of a cylindrical sleeve or collar snugly engages the mandrel 20 and is preferably made of canvas, but may be rubber, rubber compound or any other material suitable for the purpose. In order to expand the sleeve into sealing position, the threaded head 2i is disengaged from the socket I3, so that the inclined surface 49 on the lower end of the sleeve I3 will drop down between said sleeve 33 and mandrel ,20, which will compress and expand the sleeve into contact with the wall of the casing and ripping the same. The sleeve. being of canvas or a simiv lar material. will not be loosened ,on account of jarring or bouncing caused by the pumping or reciprocation of the sucker rods. Also, the sleeve will absorb the vibration of the tubing and pre'- vent the sameffrom unduly stirring up the sand and causing unnecessary wear or cutting by the sand, or completely clogging the tubing.

The lower end of the sleeve or cage 30 is provided with a depending, annular skirt 43, in which is formed a bayonet slot 44. The lower edge of said skirt is so inclined that a stud or pin 45 on the mandrel 21 will be led into4 said slot to lock said cage 30. This slot and stud will hold the cage 30 in its lowermost position and prevent the slips 23 riding upon the inclined surface 24 of the collar 24, and gripping the casing Il. Should the pin 45 become disengaged from the slot 44, the frictional engagement of the springs 33 with the wall ofthe casing will momentarily hold `the cage 30, so that the packer will drop therethrough. The slips, of course, will be held with the cage and the inclined surface 24' of said collar will drop down into said slips, and force the same outwardly. It is particularly pointed out that while the sleeves have gripped the casing and further downward movement of the packer and tubingwl I have beenprevented said packing sleeve 38 is not set, because the inclined surface 4l is held in the position,shown in Figures 1V and 2, by the threads 2| and the socket II.

If the sleeves have set, as shown in Figure 2, at a point in the well where it is not desired to set the packer, the tubing is lifted and rotated to the left or counter-clockwise direction (Figures 4 and 5), so as to engage the pin 45 in the slot 44. As soon as said pin has engaged in said slot (Figure la), the tubing and packer are lowered until the point is reached where it is desired to set the packer. It will be seen that regardless of the number of times which the packer accidentally sets, the packing member has not been set, and thus has not been exposed to any. danger. At the point where it is desired to set the packer, the tubing is rotated to the right or in a clockwise direction (Figures 4 and 5), releasing the pin 45 from the slot -44. The frictional engagement of the springs 33 will hold the slips 23, so as to grip the casing, as shown in Figure 2. The tubing now is rotated to the right approximately three and one-half revolutions, which is sufficient to disengage the screw-threads 2i from the socket I9 and permitting the sleeve I3 to drop, and the 75 l engages the threaded head 2| .of the threads 2| and inclined surface 40 on the lower end thereof to compress and expand the packing member 38. The packer is now set, and the parts now are in the position, as illustrated in Figure 3.

It is pointed out that the tapered construction the socket I9 (Figures 2 and 3), permits the threads 2| to disengage from the threaded socket I9 upon the above mentioned three and one-half revolutions, although there are a greater number of threads than ordinarily would be to disengage on three and onehalf revolutions. e

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, a tubing drain or fluid by-pass opening 41 is provided in the 'lmandrel 20 above the packing member 38', and it will be noticed that in Figures 1 and 2, this drain opening connects the tubing with the casing, While in Figure 3 it has been covered and sealed off by the inclined surface 40 engaging the sleeve 38. When it is desired to unset or remove the packer from the well, the tubing is lifted and the socket I9 lifting the mandrel 20 and opening the drain l1, so that the fluid Within the tubing above the packer will bleed therethrough and into the casing, wherebya dry string of tubing will be had. The operators at the surface of the well will not be drenched by the fluid, which otherwise would be in each joint of said tubing. The continued lifting of the tubing will disengage the slips 28 and the packer may be pulled from the well in this condition, or the tubing again rotated to the left or counterclockwise direction to engage the screw-threads I9 and 2|, and the pin 45 in the slot 44, if desired.

It is noted that the packer can be connected in a tubing string and the wall engaging slips 28 set so as to grip said wall and the packing sleeve 38 is not set, although said sleeve may be held in readiness to be set at any time it is desired or that it should become packer so constructed it is possible to handle the various conditions and problems encountered in oil wells and this flexibility of the packer is a very desirablel feature.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figures '7 and 7a, illustrating how this packer may be adapted with a fluid by-pass, in order that fluid may pass either up or down through said packer when the latter is set and not admix with the well fiuid passing upwardly through said packer.

The upright cap vor head |4 cap |4, and its axial bore 50 is provided at the lower end thereof with an annular, packing groove 5| having a sealing'ring 52 therein. A suitable section of pipe or tubing 58, the upper end of which has a sliding ilt within the bore 5|) and the sealing ring 52 inthe groove 5|,- extends longitudinally through the packer. The lower end of the handrel 21', similar to the mandrel 21, terminates in an externally screwthreaded pin 54, which is received by an internally screw-threaded box 55 in the upper end of an elongated collar 56.

The collar is formed with an axial bore 51 and the box 55 is offset outwardly therefrom. 'I'he upper end of the bore 51 is provided with an internally screw-threaded box -58 for receiving an externally screw-threaded pin -59 on the lower end o f the sectionof pipe 53.

The lower end of the bore 51 is provided with is longer than the an internally screw-threaded box 60 for receiving the externally screw-threaded pin 6| of a section of tubing 62,'which may be connected to necessary. Thus, with the the usual well equipment (not shown) as desired. Thus. it will be seen that a continuous fluid passageway or duct is provided from the tubing 62, through the bore 51, the pipe 53, the bore 50 of the cap 4', and into the tubing It will be seen that the lower end of the cap |4' is thickened, so that a longitudinal lbore or passage 63, preferably parallel to the axial bore 50 of said cap, is provided in said cap and the upper end of said passage is scre -threaded to receive a length of suitable pipe 64 which is open at its upper end. The collar 56 is also provided with a passage 65, extending from the lower end of offset box 55 of said collar substantially parallel to and from theaxial bore 51 of said collar. The lower 15 end of the passage 65 is screw-threadedtto receive a section of pipe 66, similar to the pipe 64.

It is pointed out that when the packer is set, such as shown in Figure 3, that fluid above said packer may enter and Iiow through the pipe 64, 20 the passage 63, into the annular space 61`in the sleeve I8', through the mandrel 20', around the pipe 53 into the box 55, through the' passageway 65, and into the pipe 66 to whatever disposition may be desired. Of course, the fluid may flow 25 from below the packer to above the same, in an inverse order to that set out abo-ve. Thus, a fluid by-pass is had' through the packer, which will serve many purposes and fluid may flow through said by-pass in either direction, times separate from the regular fluid passageway` through said packer. 'Ihis particular type of packer with the by-pass arrangement, is very useful under certain'well conditions with the pressure iluid lifts, now in common use. 35

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Y

l. A packer including, a tubular support,` a packing element on the support, means on the support for gripping a casing wall for arresting 40 the downward movement of the packer; packing expanding means slidably mounted on said support, and releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said` support in its inoperative position and releasable to permit the expanding of said packing element.

2. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing element on said support, means on said support for gripping a casing wall for arresting the downward movement of the packer, packing 50 expanding means slidably mounted on said support, releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and releasable to permit the expanding of said packing element, and a tubing 55 drain in said support.

3. A packer including, atubular support,l a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support, gripping means mounted on said support for engaging a casing wall and arresting 60 the downward movement of said packer, expanding means for said packing member slidably Y mounted on said support and releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position, said fas- 65 tening means being controlled from the surface of the well for releasing said. expanding means from its inoperative position to expand said packing member into a sealing position.

4. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support, gripping means mounted on said which is at all 30 mounted on said support, releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position, said fastening means being controlled from the surface of lthe well for releasing said expanding means from its inoperative position to expand said packing member into a sealing position, and a tubing drain in said support which is open when said packing member is in an unexpanded position.

5. A packer including, a tubular support, an expanding member surrounding and mounted to slide on said support, a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support below said expanding member, locking means mounted on said support for arresting the downward movement of said packer, and releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and being releasable to permit the expanding of said packing member.

6. A packer including, a tubular support, an expanding member surrounding and mounted to slide on said support, a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support below said expanding member, locking means mounted on said support for arresting the downward movement of said packer, releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and being releasable to permit the expanding of said packing member, and a fiuid by-pass extending through said packer.

7. A packer including, a tubular support, an expanding member surrounding and mounted to slide on said support, a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support below said expanding member,locking means mounted on said support for arresting the downward movement of said packer, releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and being releasable to permit the expanding of said packing member, a fluid by-pass extending through said packer, and a well fluid passage-way extending longitudinally through said packer separate from and not communicating with said fluid by-pass.

8. A packer including, a tubular support, an expanding member surrounding and mounted to slide on said support, a packing member mounted Aon and surrounding said support, releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and being releasable to permit the expanding of said packing member,- gripping means mounted on said support for engaging a casing wall and arresting the downward movement of said packer, said fastening means being controlled and operated from the surface of a well for releasing said expanding member from its inoperative position to slide on said support and expand said packing member into a sealing position, a well fluid passageway extending longitudinally through said packer, and a iiuid by-pass extending through said packer separate from and not communicating with said fluid passageway.

9. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing member mounted on and surrounding said support, packing expanding means slidably mounted on saidsupport, locking mean's on said support for arresting the downward movement of said packer without expanding said packing member, and releasable fastening means for securing said expanding means to said support in its inoperative position and releasable to permit the expanding of said packing element, said fastening means being controlled from the surface of a well for preventing the releasing of said expanding means from its inoperative position upon any accidental action of said locking means.

10. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing element on said support, means on said support for gripping a casing wall for arresting the downward movement of the packer,y packing expanding means slidably mounted on said support and being upset on its lower end, said support having a tapered `portion corresponding to said upset portion of said expanding means, and releasable fastening means on said tapered portion of said support and on said upset portion of said expanding means for securing said expanding means in its inoperative position on said support and releasable therefrom to permit the expanding of said packing element.

11. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing element on said support, means on said support for gripping a casing wall for arresting the downward movement of the packer, packing expanding means slidably mounted on said support and being upset on its lower end, lsaid support having a tapered portion corresponding to said upset portion of said expanding means, and releasable fastening means on said tapered portion of said support and on (said upset portion of said expanding means for securing said expanding means in its inoperative position on said support and releasable therefrom to permit the expanding of said packing element, a well uid passageway extending longitudinally through said packer, and a fluid by-pass extending through said packer separate from and not communicating with said fluid passageway.

12. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing element on said support, locking means on said support for arresting the downward movement of the packer, and a packing expanding collar slidably mounted on said support, the lower end of said collar being thickened to provide a tapered threaded socket, said support having a corresponding tapered threaded boss for engaging in said socket of said collar for holding said collar in its inoperative position, said threaded connection arranged to be disconnected from the surface of a well to permit said collar to (telescope) slide on said support and expand said packing element.

13. A packer including, a tubular support, a packing element on said support, locking means on said support for arresting the downward movement of the packer, and a packing expanding collar slidably mounted on said support, the lower end of said collar being thickened to provide a tapered threaded socket, said support having a corresponding tapered threaded boss for engaging in said socket of said collar for holding said collar in its inoperative position, said threaded connection arranged to be disconnected from the surface of a well to permit said collar to slide on said support and expand said packing element, a well fiuid passageway extending longitudinally through said packer, and a fluid bypass extending through said packer separate from and not communicating with said fluid passageway.

JEDDY D. NIXON. 

